bytebear

I would love to hear his interpretation of Romans 8:29. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. I can find no other interpretation other than the LDS view. Jesus is our brother. and the Bible says so!

I don't think it any more or less reconcilable to understand that Jesus is both God and the Son of God. I do not believe in the post Biblical explanation of the Godhead (more commonly called the Trinity). It is simply illogical. The simple truth is that Jesus is the Son of God, and I am also a son of God, and therefore, He is my brother. It really is simple logic.

Again, how is this different than LDS belief?

How is this different than LDS beliefs? The implication is that we emphasize works over faith, but in fact the Fourth Article of Faith states that faith and repentance must come before baptism.

Yay! You have strengthened my testimony of the Gospel. You are a wonderful example that all the answers are out there, if we just seek them out. I really think you are an instrument in bringing people into the gospel who struggle with this issue. You have a unique testimony now, and when someone says, "How can you be a member of a racist church," you can simply say "Because it's true." Nothing Brigham Young, or Bruce R. McConkie, or any other church leader or member can say or do that will negate one simple but glorious fact: Joseph Smith's prayer was answered. All issues and stumbling blocks can be overcome through study, faith and prayer. I am so happy for you!

Ice Cream social? Someone already mentioned bowling, but if you do, make sure you mix up the teams, especially in cliquish wards. Mini Golf? How about Croquet? Scavenger hunt in a park. Have clues taped to trees and such. You could also tie clues to scripture verses. How about taking the kids to a soup kitchen, DI or stake cannery and show them how that's all done. How about a gardening party at the church. They can pick out their own flowers and such, and plant a garden. Maybe even do a vegetable garden and have then tend it until they get a crop.

No, I don't think so. God gives us free will. He starts up the engine, and lets it run. When things get out of whack, or when things need to be accomplished, he intervenes, but for the most part, we are here to figure it out without him telling us what to do. Joseph Smith said, "I teach them correct principles and let them lead themselves." I think that is God's way. He tells us what we need to know, but we do the rest, and sometimes (most of the time) we screw up. But that's what repentance is for. We correct ourselves and move on. Also, I think you are looking at the world as one big machine, and asking if that machine is running correctly. But God sees us each as individuals. Sure we interact, but it is all about the individual in God's eyes. So, there are random interactions, and we are simply to learn how to deal with them as they come along, gathering "correct principles" which help us make the right decisions.

My advice is to introduce your wife to the social aspects of the church, and if she wants to venture toward the spiritual she can. I think just having her meet the ward members in a casual, non-threatening environment will do wonders to her preconceived notions on religion. Once she understands that the members are loving and friendly regardless of her interest in the church, she will be more open to it all.

hi BabyWill. Although I have no experience with adult babies, but I think it falls into the same category as any addictive or destructive behavior. If it is something that hinders your social, interpersonal or professional life, then there is a problem with it. It does often relate to sexual behaviors as well, and unfortunately, with any fetish, the more we hold on to it, the harder it is to relate to our spouse in a loving way. It becomes more about the fetish than our love and affection for our mate. And that is destructive to any relationship. We are counseled to avoid behaviors that are addictive or destructive. I also think there are psychological aspects that should be explored with a psychologist. It's not a criticism of you, but this is an unusual fetish and someone with some professional training would be more helpful than a bishop. Bishops are simply not trained on understanding these things. As far as the church goes, there is no sin in such behavior in and of itself, but if it hinders progression in life, then it's a problem that needs to be addressed. Thanks for listening.

Yup, Go to school. College is different than High School. You will find that it's up to you if you really want to be there, and just knowing that you are choosing to be there makes it so much more worthwhile. Prepare to serve a mission, and if in a year or two you are ready to serve, you can do that. If you decide not to do a mission, you will still be better for the effort. Good luck, and congrats on becoming an adult. :)

I would also recommend reading Alma 32. The aspects of faith begin around verse 21. Alma 32 Good luck in your spiritual journey.

Have you read the Book of Mormon? Toward the end is a promise of how to find truth. It sounds like you should try it. It's a good place to start. 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. Moroni 10

Hi Lovely12, You do have a unique challenge that most members don't have to deal with. Here are my suggestions. First, if you are not a member of the Genesis Group, I would find out about it. You can even meet some black members who have been members long before the priesthood ban was lifted. I would also not focus on "the ban was wrong" but focus on "Why would God allow the ban?" or even "Why would God institute the ban?" Did the ban have a purpose? If so, what is it. I think you will find more insightful spiritual answers if you open your heart to the purposes behind God's work, rather than just dismiss it as being wrong. Now, that may make me seem like a racist, but I think people do the same thing with other issues in the church, like tithing or the Word of Wisdom? If you just dismiss the WoW as wrong, and stupid, you will never get the insight as to why God has instilled it. I hope that makes sense. Unfortunately the priesthood ban has racist connections, because in the 1800s (and 1900s, and now) racism abounded. Yes, you can take the speeches of various church leaders and call them racists. And much of that was a justification for a practice which has no clear purpose. But unlike other Christian churches of the 1800s, the LDS Church still accepted blacks as members, and taught that they had souls (something that other churches denied). Also, you can take speeches by Abraham Lincoln and show that he was also a racist by ignoring the context of his message, or the time in which he lived. Church leaders were no more or less racist than everyone else around them, and in many instances of church policy and practice, they were less racist. Finally, I want you to study deeply the history of the Church in Africa, specifically Nigeria. I often dismissed the priesthood ban as a bad thing, and it certainly has bad emotions attached to it in a country with a history or racism. But in Africa, those saints really had to prove themselves ready for the gospel before it could be brought to their land, and I personally believe that it was their faith and dedication to the gospel that lifted the ban. I believe they needed to learn how to be leaders before they could be officially made leaders, and when the ban was lifted in 1978, there were literally dozens of congregations already established that were made official. The priesthood ban for them was a blessing, and a trial by fire, which made those saints so much stronger and faithful than they ever would have been. So, I do see a purpose if only to strengthen the testimony of the gospel above the racism of man. I certainly think white Mormons have a special sensitivity to racism that is not found in other churches. So, all I ask is that you are spiritually open to an answer that does not condemn the priesthood ban as being useless and wrong. I hope you find an answer to your question. I know I have a firm testimony of this church, and although I don't know all the answers, I know God has given me an answer that gives peace to my heart regarding this issue. I believe you can have the same thing, if you seek Him out. God bless you. "... for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. " - Ether 12:6

Amos 3:7. There is also a revelation from John in the book of Revelation (coincidentally enough) that says in the last days two prophets will be killed. Don't have the exact reference on hand though.

I think the best thing is to to start with the Gospel Principles Sunday School Manual. It's pretty straight forward. LDS.org - Sunday School Table of Contents - Gospel Principles Read a few chapters, and maybe that will help you form specific questions.

My personal opionion is no. You only need faith in Christ to receive Terrestrial glory. You believed, but made no covenant, therefore you are rewarded for your belief.

Has anyone else read "How wide the Divide?" It is by far the best book to understand the differences (and similarities) between Evangelicals and Latter-day Saints. Both men are consumate scholars of impeicible credentials. Each topic is divided into three parts, the Evangelical view, the LDS view, and the common view (co-written by both authors). In it, I discovered that both views on all of these so-called controversies are actually very similar if not the same. PC and AJ, I would particularly love to hear your opinion of the book (assuming you have or will read it) as you are the Evangelcial representatives here.

No one is asking you to turn away from centuries of church teachings and practice. In fact, I believe you are evangelical, (and if I am wrong, I appologize), you have already turned away from centuries of teachings and practice by rejecting the Roman Catholic beliefs and practices. I assume you do not follow the Pope, or have a formal liturgy? Yes, a lot will be asked of you, but as the scriptures say, your yolk will be light if you have faith. The real question is, will it be worth it to find out? But from a practical standpoint, faith and worship in the LDS Church are not foreign to outsiders. I doubt you would recognize an LDS service from a protestant service, except the addition of scriptural references outside the Bible. Have you watched some of the conference sermons on YouTube? Do you find them so foreign to your own thoughts and beliefs?

How about the testimony of the three witnesses? How about the testimony of the eight witnesses? How about the testimony of the Book of Mormon itself? How about the testimony of the witnesses (both Mormon and non) at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple? How about the testimony of all the prophets that proceeded Smith? How about the testimony of the millions who have been baptised into this church? How about the fulfilled prophecies of past prophets (Isaiah, Daniel, John, etc.)? How about the witness of the Holy Ghost?

I don't know anything about the older singles wards, but I could use some advice. I am trying to marry off my MIL. She is not a Mormon, but might turn if the right guy comes along.

Well, I think you need to understand the LDS view of Dispensationalism as well as the concept of Greater and Lesser prophets. Yes, most prophets simply call men to repentance, and do not turn the world upside down. But that is true today. From Brigham Young to Thomas S. Monson, those prophets are examples of what you describe, and would be called "lesser prophets." not because they were not as important, but because they did not open up a new dispensation. The major dispenstations that we know of from the Bible are: Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, The meridian of time (Jesus, and then Peter), and the dispensation of the fulness of times (Joseph Smith). Every one of these prophets turned the understanding of the people upside down and brought forth new knowledge. Moses created a new law for the people, coincidentally called the "law of Moses" Peter established a church, but even he was not the author of the dispensation of the last days. That was prophecied to come later. Ephesians 1:10 "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." Assuming that God was going to do this great thing, wouldn't a prophet lead the event? I mean, we are all preparing for the second coming of Christ. Why would the most important event since the first coming of Christ NOT require a prophet to usher it in? So, why do we emphasize Joseph Smith? Because to us he is the second most important person, next to Jesus Christ/Jehovah. Just as to many Christians, Paul is the second most, and to Catholics, it's Peter. And to the Jews it's Moses.

Actually, it proceeds from Jesus Christ (unless you were referring to Christ as the Father there). After all he is the Lord. It is also called the Light of Christ and is given to all freely. But you are correct, it is not the Holy Ghost, which is given only by the laying on of hands from one with authority.

The comparison of Joseph Smith to Jesus Christ is an uncomfprtable one, because Smith did not suplant Christ's role in any way. I compare Smith to Peter or Paul, or to Moses, or Abraham. Or to Noah or Isaiah. All of the prophets really. They all shook up the status quo. Smith just did it a couple hundred years ago, as opposed to a couple thousand. That is why he is questioned with more scrutiny. If you were a Jew at the time of Paul, would you convert? or would you mock him as a false prophet? Would you follow Moses through the desert? Would you build an ark, just in case? Yes, of course you would. All Christians say they would, but would you accept new scripture if God presented it to you?

Change your phone numbers and do not list them. Get caller ID and only accept from people you know. That will stop that contact. Change email addresses too, and only give out information to people you know and trust. If she is doing things at work, have him talk to HER supervisor about the situation and let that person deal with it (this should have been done the moment she changed schedules to meet his). If that doesn't work, he needs to change the situation so she has no contact with him ever. As for your husband. It sounds like he has been honest about the situation, and wants you over her, and that's all that matters. If you are good to him, this floozy won't stand a chance against you.

Sounds udderly ridiculous. Moooving along...